Building Our Home - Blinds

Are you sick of house updates?

 

One of the very first things Mr. Howard did when we moved in was installed the television over the fireplace. I'm pretty sure he was in electronics Heaven because we've never had a wall pre-wired for television before (so that there aren't any wires showing at all). The next thing he did, before we even had our bedroom and bathroom unpacked, was installed the surround sound speakers in the family room. Again, we had that pre-wired before they drywalled, so all we have are the speakers in our ceiling.  

 The next thing on our to-do list was to buy blinds. We purchased them the day we moved in (Saturday, May 4th). They told us it'd take several days to get the blinds in and custom cut, but they phoned us the next day and told us they had arrived. 26 blinds sitting there and ready to be installed.

 Our first priority was the bathroom (so we could shower without giving a show to all the construction workers who had a perfect line of sight straight into our shower):

 Next was our bedroom:

 We are NO WHERE near done decorating, unpacking, setting things up - but I just wanted to show you the blinds in the family room:

 And the kitchen:

 And our formal living room:

 And the butler's pantry:

We still have Aiden's room, Isabella's room, the playroom, the laundry room, and the guest bedroom left to do. But we're making major progress. Next time we build a house, I'm purposely going to pick the house floorplan that has the least amount of windows (one big window instead of four in a room). Ha! At least we're experts now! Anyone need some blinds installed?!?

 

After blind installation, we have three top priorities: (1) UNPACK!!!! (2) Backsplash (3) Landscape Plans for the backyard...oh...and did I mention we still need to unpack?!?!?

I'm going to be quiet on the blog for the next few days as I'm leaving for San Diego this morning to celebrate my little brother's GRADUATION FROM LAW SCHOOL!!!!!!! Holy Moly Zoly. I'm so excited. He is amazing! I am leaving this morning (beware would-be burglars: we have someone house-sitting, plus an alarm!) and will back at the end of the weekend.

Building Our Home - Island Construction

We had to mock up the kitchen island (and get it all screwed together into one piece), so that my dad could make the baseboards to the right size. He came over Sunday, May 12 and helped Mr. Howard get it all set up.

 

Here are all the sides. This will be the front where the barstools go - with hidden cabinets for things we don't use very often.

This will be for all our small spices  (it is the side closest to our sink):

This is the side for our bigger oils and cooking spices:

This was the side for the drawers (side closest to the oven) before installing the drawers:

Here's the island after my dad and hubby installed the drawers (these will be for pots and pans!):

 And here's the island with the barstools (and Isabella). We are thinking (Yikes! We only have a few days left to decide) of matching the color to the barstools - so a sort of black with an antique treatment to it. But then I go back and forth because I'm not sure if I want to go lighter. Ahhh. Decisions, decisions...

We are supposed to be sending everything off  (all the cabinet fronts, trim pieces, and corbel legs) to the painter at the beginning of next week - which means we REALLY have to make a decision. Eeek.

Mother's Day

First off, I want to say that for those of you who so desperately want to be Mamas, I am praying for you. I remember how hard Mother's Day was when we were struggling with infertility and I know that what I experienced is NOTHING compared to the struggles that a lot of you are going through. And for those of you who have lost children, I am also praying for you. Since I have three other children here on this earth, Mother's Day is mostly a joyous day, but it is also definitely a day when Cole is on my heart. He would have been three-years-old this Mother's Day and, while I know he is so happy and healthy in Heaven, my heart aches for him to be here in my arms - rambunctious, inquisitive, and all.

My one Mother's Day wish was to get a good picture with all three of my kids, but alas, that did not happen this weekend. I'm not giving up, though. Hopefully I can get one this weekend at my brother's Law School Graduation. Bound and determined, friends. Bound and determined.

 

My day started out about 5:30am, when a certain someone *Cough Cough* Connor.

Mr. Howard had to work and so I was home with the kids by myself. I really wanted donuts, but knew I couldn't carry all three in by myself (plus donuts) - so I did what any sane person would do. I drove to the nearest Krispy Kreme and used their drivethrough!

 Oh my goodness. Heaven. This was the first time I gave the babies donuts and they EACH ate an entire donut by themself. I have no idea where they got that from.

Aiden and Mama

 Connor and Mama during naptime (I was a sucker and let him sleep in my bed!)

Isabella and Mama

Oh my goodness; these photos that our preschool did of the kids are AMAZING!!! Aiden was sick and didn't go to school on Friday, so I'm hoping and crossing my fingers a million times over that they do a make up for him (they said they would, but I know how busy things can get).

Here was my picture with the kids. Isn't it the most amazing picture you've ever seen? Aiden's crying... Connor's sun-glared out...Izzy's looking, but not smiling...Ha! This is what life with three kids three-years-old and younger is really like!

Opening my presents from the kids:

Connor's Photo:

 And Isabella's Photo:

I hope you all had a wonderful mother's day with your sweet babies.

Our Saturday

On Saturday morning we woke up early and noticed that Connor was in our bed. Neither Mr. Howard nor I can remember getting Connor or letting him in our bed. I wonder if we both just slept through it. We were both super tired as Mr. Howard didn't get home until 1:30am and we had to be up at 6am! 

 

First we went to Starbucks and then headed over to the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure 5k. We always walk/run in honor of the other Mrs. Howard (Mr. Howard's mom) who fought breast cancer, won, and is now cancer free.

 Daddy and Connor. He was being a little turkey and only wanted to be held the entire walk. We got our arm workout, in addition to legs that day!

 The twins. Ahh. Seriously - look at them! (Despite how it looks, they are not eating Cheetos, I promise. They are fishy crackers.)

 I had to get a picture of the sign. I loved the shirts this year (the "Be Inspired" shirts. Survivors wore pink shirts with SURVIVOR and the number of years on it)! We showed up too late and didn't get to pick up our shirts (boo!!):

 We carried Aiden about a fourth of the way too.

 Her sweet pigtails. I'm in love with pigtails.

 I saw the balloons and thought, "this would make such a cute picture!" And then Isabella smiled and was all cute. And then Aiden...well, Aiden, thought the balloons were spectacular. So spectacular, in fact, that no matter how much we sang and snapped and bounced him - he wouldn't break eye contact with them. Ha! You know what though? These pictures are beginning to be my favorite ones. They are the real moments.

 And because the kids wouldn't cooperate in photos, I went to my go-to guy for a picture.

While it was hot, hot, hot - we were thankful and happy to be able to do the walk, raise a little money, and show the kids that it's important to donate time and money to causes you're passionate about.

A party, Lake Visit, Texts, and Other Randoms

I'm taking a break from house updates to get some adorable photos of my cuties on this little ol blog. I mean as cute as the house is, I really think they are WAY cuter. This is sort of a jumbo mix of all the things we've been up to lately.

 

A couple weekends ago, Mr. Howard watched the babies while I took Connor to a party at a gymnastics place for my best friend's daughter, Sophia's, birthday. Oh my goodness. What fun it was!! Connor went to bed early that night and I did not hear a single peep from him until about 8am the next morning. Now that's a sign of a GOOD party!

The kids had so much fun! The best part was that Sophia's Mama and Daddy could just enjoy the party. The staff took care of everything else (including passing out snacks, drinks, food, etc.). How fun!

 

I actually COMPLETELY forgot it was Mother's Day this weekend until Mr. Howard asked me something about a gift. This house move and build has taken every ounce of brain power I had left (and trust me, after having four babies - I didn't have much to begin with). Yikes. (Sorry Mom and Kathe - you're gifts are on their way!). I have three adorable little presents sitting on my kitchen counter right now just begging me to open them from my kids. Connor was so funny because when he handed them to me, he said "Mama you have a BIG surprise! Put them on the counter and I'll open them later." I think it's hilarious he thinks he gets to open MY presents. This is a major improvement from a few days ago when he said, "Mama, Daddy hid a pot for a plant that I made you." Ha! Nice one, buddy. Nice one. Daddy quickly tried to "shhhh" him, but it didn't work. He didn't understand the concept of not telling me.

 

The thing I'm most looking forward to about mother's day? Spending some time with my littles this weekend in our new house!! Mr. Howard has to work, so there won't be any breakfast in bed for me, baths, or any relaxing - but I will be doing just what I should be doing on Mother's Day - spending time with my kids. **Mr. Howard doesn't know it yet, either, but I also plan on having him take some pictures of me and the kids!!**

*These little Aiden Car Photos were taken at preschool. One of the teachers sent them to me and I just died.*

Speaking of school, I made the most silly mistake! I completely forgot about Teacher Appreciation Week (ridiculous because I'm a teacher!). It was an honest mistake because the school I work at is celebrating it next week and I just completely spaced. I plan on sending in little gifts next week. Oh well. Appreciation is appreciation regardless of the week, right? I'll just extend their appreciation. =) And the nice part is that I'm getting to see all my blog friend's ideas for great gifts!

 

And here are a few instagram (@thehowardbunch) photos from the past few weeks:

 

Bath time with my sister:

 

Me and the Twins:

Auntie Rebecca, Uncle Colin, and Mr. Howard took Isabella and Connor to the lake a few days ago while I was working and they got these photos (Aiden was at preschool - each Wednesday one of the twins goes to preschool and they alternate - giving them each some independence):

 So precious!!

And lastly, Aiden was sick yesterday. We think he was teething, but to be certain - we kept him home from school. Daddy stayed home in the morning and did his conference calls from home. I got this text:

He found out yesterday morning that he has a meeting he cannot miss next Friday (the day we leave for San Diego for my brother's graduation), so he was on the computer trying to find flights. Thankfully, we found one that will work. I'm sure he's THRILLED beyond words to escape the nine hour drive with all the kids. I'm jealous. Maybe he should purchase a return ticket and I can fly back by MYSELF. That's a fair deal, right? =)

 

Alright, well, we're off to do the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk in honor of Mr. Howard's Mom who fought breast cancer and is now cancer free!!! Let's hope the kids stay in the stroller the entire walk!

Building Our House: Day 1 of Paint

On May 2nd, the painters painted the downstairs! We picked Sherwin Williams SW7030 Anew Gray and we're going to do accent colors of teal/turquoise (curtains, pillows, decorations, etc.). Our blinds are a beautiful dark wood color; I think it's called espresso. They are 2.5 inch wood blinds and we just put them up in our bedroom and LOVE them.

 Here's another picture of the living room from a different angle so you can see it without the ceiling fan and light fixture:

Mr. Howard hung the first of six fans. This one was a priority because we knew we'd be hanging out in the family room and with the weather changing, we wanted to get it in quickly.

And here's the fan all installed and ready to go. I really do love it!! 

While they had painted the downstairs (you can see they hadn't started the stairs yet), they had only done one coat. They did the second coat on Friday. So it is a little darker now.

 Our Formal Living Room

 The kitchen:



We are SO happy with the way it turned out. I didn't take photos after day 2, because it was late and dark and then we moved in the next day, so I will post pictures of the house furnished as we go. I'll be honest, unpacking is taking a LONG, LONG time (mostly because we're also trying to install fans, televisions, blinds, and other projects and those are taking priority right now over unpacking all the little stuff). So I'll probably go room-by-room. We are also trying to find a concrete person to lay our concrete in the backyard and someone to help with the grass, sprinklers, etc. (we plan on doing a lot of the work ourselves, but we want to a landscaper to help us make some decisions).

 

It feels amazing to be in the home, but it is also overwhelming. There is just so much to be done and I could really use a 2 week vacation from work to manage all the projects. But, alas, such is life. Too much to do, too little time to do it! We are blessed beyond words with our beautiful home.